Working Group Member (Ledmore and Migdale Wood, Spinningdale, Sutherland)

Our Working Groups help us to look after our wonderful sites across the UK.

Carrying out a variety of practical tasks under the guidance of the Woodland Trust Site Managers, the Working Groups keep our sites looking great and our pathways accessible, and help us manage the woodland in line with our management plans. Our Working Groups are a great way to learn skills and meet new people, and to directly contribute to the care and upkeep of valuable habitats.

The wild and rugged landscape at Ledmore and Migdale comprises rich and diverse habitats including dense broadleaved deciduous woodland, conifer plantations, heather moorland, marsh and rocky crags. Not only beautiful with commanding views, it is also of immense national importance for nature conservation.

It is one of the largest sites owned by the Woodland Trust and encompasses three Sites of Special Scientific Interes (SSSIs):
Ledmore Oakwood (235 acres), Migdale Pinewood (356 acres) and Spinningdale Bog (71 acres).

As well as being designated a National Conservation Review Site and Special Area of Conservation, It is rich in biodiversity and home to a vast array of plant, insect, bird and animal life, including otter, wild cat and pine marten.

There are invasive non-native plants at Ledmore and Migdale, including Cotoneaster and Gaultheria, and one of the tasks of this volunteer Woodland Working Group will be to remove these species, as well as other conservation tasks. Across Scotland we have several groups of this kind and as well as achieving so much for our woods and trees, wildlife and people that engage with them, but also have a wonderful, sociable time doing so.

The Ledmore and Migdale Group meets around once per month for activities on a variety of days in the week (sometimes weekdays, and sometimes weekends).